Investing In State Quarter Proof Sets
There were three purpose for the 1997 50 States Quarter Program.First, it wanted to promote state history and culture to children. The state quarter sets were to commemorate the states that make up this great country.The third goal was to help inspire a new generation of coin collectors.
The first 5 quarters were released in 1999 and then 5 more were released each year after.The commemorative quarter for Hawaii, the final state to join the United States,was released in November 2008, bring an end to the ten year program.
The state quarter program was a huge success.It has been estimated that 147 million of United States citizens collected the state quarters
issued in the program’s ten year run.As most other coins a proof set for each year was also minted for collectors as well.
State Quarter proof coins were minted only by the San Francisco Mint.The standard state quarter were produced at the Philadelphia and Denver mints.The minting process utilizes special coin blanks and polish dies to strike the coin multiple times.It produces mirror-like backgrounds and sharp features.The foreground is frosted and sculpted in order to give the coin a cameo-like appearance.
Proof sets are designed more for true coin collectores.This is due to several factors.Proofs are the highest quality coin.Two, the fact that these sets are purchased directly from the United States Mint, rather than put into circulation, also adds to their value.Uncirculated coins tend to have less wear and tear than those released into circulation.
Since proof coins are produced in smaller quantities, it also increase the value.Increased rarity produces increased value.The 2008 proof sets doubled in value within a year.Set from the earlier years are valued at to dolllars.
These will continue to increase in value as more time passes.
A proof set also comes with an authenticity certification.Proof sets are specially packaged by the United State mint giving them something a little extra special.Since this package process is not provided for circulated coins, it gives proof sets more value.
Proof sets are originally sold only directly from the mint.Now you can buy them from various dealers who resell the sets.Some can even be purchased on auction sites such as eBay.
With the state quarter craze, a new interest in coin collecting was sparked across the ountry.Many people did not collect coins prior to the state quarter program.New state quarter investors are best to start with the 1999 quarters since those will likely be the most difficult to find.
A good place to get started collecting state quarter sets is with the 1999 state quarter proof set.